Have Christianity ever been helpful to science?

Question

Just ignore the dark ages or past conflicts...so, what did Christianity(not christians) did to benefit the rise of science?

Answer 1

I see you have fantasic answers so far.

Christianity was very in tune with science until they realized that it didn't fit with their belief system, then they attacked it for 200-300 years until they could figure out how to pound the square peg of science into the round hole of their religion.

I know many christians will bring up all the great scientists of the past ,but really what choice did they have? Anyone remember what happened to Gallileo? he didn't even say anything against god he simply suggested the earth went around the sun. He got off very lightly with house arrest for the rest of his life. Scientists were christians because they would have been burned alive if they weren't.

Darwin started as a christian, then fronted his faith for his very devout wife.

Answer 2

The medieval Christians came up with the idea of natural law: that the universe works through patterns that humans can seek to understand. They also took the view that humans were created rational for a reason and that reason was for us to figure out how the universe works. Both of these ideas were crucial for the early development of the scientific revolution.

If, for example, you compare the Islamic philosophies during the same time, you find that they believe God could do literally anything at any time and so any hope of finding natural laws was seen as somewhat un-Islamic. They also had the idea that we, as humans, have no possibility of understanding the workings of the world. because of these view, the early developements of Islamic science did not manage to spark a scientific revolution like what happened in Europe.

Answer 3

One of the most significant recent contributions is the big bang theory, developed by an RCC priest who was unhappy with the then-current dominance of the "steady state" theory. He felt that he could devise a theory which would explain the existence of the objects in the universe while still allowing for a creation process to have taken place. The great scientists of the time (including Einstein) ridiculed his theory. It was not until Hubble proved that stars and galaxies are all moving through space, and *away* from each other, that the big bang theory was taken seriously. If I am not mistaken, this RCC priest died before Hubble's discovery and the acceptance of his theory.

Jim, B.S. in Physics, John Carroll University

Answer 4

In 1860, a pioneer in oceanography, Matthew Fontaine Maury, was the first to suggest that the ocean was a circulating system. His book on physical oceanography is still a highly regarded source of information on this science.

He was a Christian inspired to find what the Bible meant by “whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas” (Psalms 8:8).

He found them

Answer 5

God provided us with the very elements as well as our minds to be able to learn and create such things in the first place. The goal of the church since Christ has not been technological advancement, but advancing Gods kingdom. This world, science books and all are going to perish. But Gods kingdom lasts forever.

How is science ever been helpful to Christianity?

Answer 6

Monks gave rise to study of alleles (genomes). This has been one of the biggest foundations of modern evolution. Christianity has been at the forefront of science in many cases. I think science is all about finding who our maker is, whether that was chance, or God, or another race of biological intelligence somewhere else in the universe.

Answer 7

Christianity has been holding back progress for two thousand years... I wouldn't call that being helpful.

Mendel made contributions to genetics but was not doing so as a part of his christian faith, rather it was his interest in gardening that led to his later insights.

Darwin was not a Christian.

Answer 8

Craig is correct. Christians invented Science.

Pastor Art

Answer 9

None. Science is a result of the rationalism of men. Because of this the intellect will never understand the mysteries of the kingdom of GOD. It is because, one can only understand them through one's heart. Thus, when the heart is opened and is like the heart of an innocent child, the spirit of GOD enters the heart and teaches the spirit within of the manifold graces of THE LORD GOD-THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THANK GOD; FEAR GOD; PRAISE GOD; GLORIFY GOD; HONOR GOD; LOVE GOD AND WORSHIP GOD.

Answer 10

Some Christians as individuals have been very helpful, while others have not. Darwin was a Christian.

Christianity as in institution did not generally help, but certain segments of that institution did, such as monasteries and Jesuit schools.